The People vs Sameh Laham

JURY Booklet
__ April 2016
Written By: Molly Surratt

About Me:
Molly Surratt
Im energetic, silly, serious
when needed, reliable and
respectful.

Part I: BEFORE TRIAL

Background Information

Assignment Directions
During your time in the library, you will need to research the following
questions to prep for your trial. Your answers should be organized, detailed, and
thoughtful. This means aim for 100 word responses, answer all the whys and hows,
connect your answers to the text, and provide evidence to support them. Use
images to supplement your answers. If you find your information/images from a
specific website, be sure to cite that website in MLA formatting using the Oslis MLA
citation maker. Each of you will be responsible for handing in your OWN work,
however, you are welcomed to discuss any questions/concerns with your peers as
you work. Remember, you were specifically chosen for the roles of jury members.
Think about why you may have been chosen.

Bias
1) What is the definition of bias?
The definition of bias is prejudice in favor of or against one thing, person, or group compared with another, usually in
a way considered to be unfair
a) What kinds of biases might you have that could affect your interpretation of the case?
I have read the book, which means I know what happened already. Before going into the trial I will know the
information on my own, and I do have an opinion based off of what I have read. However, when I go into the trial I
will have to set aside the information that I know and my opinion, and I will listen to the arguments of the trial.
Based off of the information given and the facts I will hear, I will make a decision. I have friends on both sides of
the trial, and that could definitely affect interpretation of the case, if I were to allow. But, it is my job during this
trial to put all information and opinions aside, and find the verdict either innocent or guilty based of the facts given
in the trail. So, that is what I intend on doing.
b) How are you going to combat your own preconceived notions in order to stay unbiased during the trial?
In order to stay unbiased during the trial, I am going to do my best to set the book aside. As we are going into
this trial Im going to discard all of the information I remember from the book and just listen to the arguments
that my peers are making. In this trail, it does not matter who I am friends with because they could be wrong. They
have to prove to me that their side of the argument is right. Based off of the information of my peers, and not the
book, I will make a decision after the trial.

Guilt
2)
Define the definition of guilty in the context of a trial
the fact of having committed a specified or implied offense or crime
a)
Define Murder in the 1st degree.
first-degree murder defined as an unlawful killing that is both willful and premeditated, meaning that it was committed after planning or "lying in wait"
for the victim.
b)
What does it mean to be innocent until proven guilty?
Innocent until proven guilty means that the judges and jury both have to keep an open mind on the case. Neither the judge or jury can have any bias
opinions on the trial. They must not go into the case believing that anyone is guilty or innocent. They must listen to both sides of the argument until
they are proven something. Once they have listened to both sides of the argument they can choose whether or not they are guilty (based off of the
information given). The person is considered to be innocent until they are proven that they are guilty.
c)
What is the difference between circumstantial evidence and concrete evidence?
Circumstantial evidence proves the defendant is guilty of the charges brought against him. But, in Circumstantial evidence the proof is witnesses.
Circumstantial evidence isnt always clear and can not always be actually proven. Concrete evidence is when you have something you can actually
hold/see that gives clear evidence to the case. Concrete evidence can help to prove that the defendant is either guilty or innocent. It can be used in
court to show how and occasionally why the defendant did what they did. Concrete evidence consists on fingerprints, getting caught in the act, written
confessions, etc.
d)
Can someone be convicted of a crime based only on circumstantial evidence? Why or why not?
Someone can be convicted of a crime based only on circumstantial evidence. That is because sometimes there is not any concrete evidence provided,
so there has to be a decision based off of circumstantial evidence. If there is no concrete evidence provided a decision must be made. So, they have
to look for the next best evidence given. The next best piece of evidence would be circumstantial evidence such as a witness, someone who saw the
incident, who could gave as much information as possible without giving concrete evidence. If that circumstantial evidence provided is all the evidence
they have, they have to used that to convict the defendant.

Privacy
1)
What is the definition of privacy?
Privacy is the state or condition of being free from being observed or disturbed by other people
a)
Does the constitution protect ones right to privacy? Why/ Why not?
The constitution does protect ones right to privacy because the Fifth Amendment protects against self-incrimination. That
means that the Fifth Amendment does protect privacy. Due to the fifth amendment, Americans have the right not to answer
the police while in custody or court. Therefore, the constitution does protect ones right to privacy, and people do not
necessarily have to answer to anyone.
b)
Where is the line drawn between one persons privacy and another persons safety?
If one persons privacy could put another person at risk then the person wishing for privacy is asked permission for whatever
is needed in order to help the person at risk. If the person asking for privacy still does not want to cooperate in letting
police do what is necessary to save the person at risk, the police can then go get a warrant to go through whatever they
have to for the information needed. The warrant gives the police permission to go ahead with finding whatever they needed to
keep the other person away from harm. With the warrant, the police can carry on to finding whatever they needed without the
persons consent.

Freedom of Thought?
1)
Does the freedom of speech imply a freedom of thought?
Yes, freedom of speech imply a freedom of thought. Freedom of speech imply a freedom of thought because if you could speak freely, why would the
stop you from thinking freely? Any possible way you look at it, theres no way to know about someone is thinking. Since you dont know what anyone
is thinking, you cant stop them of thinking whatever they want. There isnt a way to restrict ones thinking so there can not be any laws to stop
someone from thinking whatever they want. So, I think for that matter, freedom does imply a freedom of thought.
a)

Can thoughts be illegal? Is an intent to kill enough to convict a person of 1st degree murder, even if they fail?

Thoughts can not be illegal because they are not actions. If someone considers killing someone, it is not lawful for them to be convicted of 1st degree
murder. That is because they havent done anything illegal, and you cant convict someone for something they havent done. If they proceed to attempt
to kill someone it is lawful to convict a person of 1st degree murder. It then becomes illegal because they have attempted to do something illegal.
Though, it it still lawful for someone to get convicted of 1st degree murder even if they have failed because they attempted to do so.
b)

If you could get a print-out of a persons thoughts, would it be humane to use that information in a court of law, or is that a violation
of privacy? Why or why not?
If you could print out a persons thoughts, I think it would be inhumane to use that information in a court of law. It is a violation of privacy. Though, If
police have a warrant they can go through your home, which is also a violation of privacy. Though it sounds bad, I think that would be okay. It would
give us solid evidence as to whether or not they are guilty. Some may think its the cation that counts in this matter. I believe if they thought of
committing a crime but didnt do it, it will show in their thoughts that they changed their mind and had nothing to hide. I think it would either benefit
the person being tried if they didnt commit the crime! If they did commit the crime it would help the victims friends and family by giving them
justice.

Death Penalty
1)
In the state of North Carolina, what is the punishment for first degree murder?
In the state of North, Carolina, the punishment for first degree murder is death or life without parole in prison. The jury decides whether the defendant
gets death or life without parole. Either way you will not be free to continue living outside of the prison.
a)
Are there ever any exceptions to this? If so, what are they?
In some cases, there can be exceptions to North Carolinas punishment for first degree murder. For instance, if you have been diagnosed with mistaken
identity, or other mental issues, or did it for self defense and/ or if the defendant was actually innocent.
b)
How are the consequences different for someone who is tried as a minor versus someone who is tried as an adult?
Consequences can be different for someone who is tried as a minor versus someone who is tried as an adult. If the defendant is under the age of
seven years old, they most commonly can not be tried. The generally can not even be tried in juvenile courts, but there parents can be held
accountable for some cases.Children between the ages of seven and fifteen are eligible for juvenile courts. Children as young as twelve years of age,
or as old as eighteen years of age are usually taken into custody by juvenile courts. Juveniles are not so much accountable for crimes as they are
for delinquent acts against someone or something. When their acts are very or more serious, they can be convicted of crimes and the juvenile can be
convicted as an adult.
c)
Can a 16 year old be legally tried as an adult. If so, under what circumstances?
A 16 year old be legally tried as an adult. The circumstances of what a 16 year old could be convicted of depends on what the have done. For
example, shoplifting would result as being tried as a minor. However, if they were to kill someone or rob a place, the circumstances are different. In
these circumstances, they can be tried as an adult. It also depends on the circumstances of the person because as I have previously mentioned if you
have any mental illnesses or killed for self defense, you wouldnt have the same charges as someone who did it just to do it. So, a 16 year old can
be tried as an adult. But, the circumstances varey.

Works Cited
Make sure these are in MLA format and in alpha order.
www.dictionary.com/. Accessed 14 Oct. 2016.
FindLaw. criminal.findlaw.com/criminal-charges/first-degree-murder-overview.html. Accessed 14 Oct. 2016.

Part II: DURING TRIAL

Character Notes

Assignment Directions
As you listen throughout the trial, you are to take detailed notes on each
characters testimony. This will help you to deliberate later. Be sure to replace the
titles of each slide with the characters names and who portrayed them. As you
listen, think about what the characters say that affect your verdict, but also think
about how the prosecution and defense construct their time with the witness. They
should prove a specific point with each witness and be able to recap that point to
you after each witness takes the stand. Make sure you take note of how well they
drive that point home, or whether they miss the mark. These notes can be bulleted.

Notes: Baruch: Portrayed by Sam Nelson

Gave him flashbacks of ptsd

Gave him stress that needed medical attention
Met families of those who died
Had a big family before sent to the holocaust
He killed his son
He planned on killing his son for survival
Experience emotional distress
He killed on possible break of insanity
Starved, possibly prevented his son for starvation
Unaware of wife's suicide.

Notes: Ilsa : Portrayed by Vanessa Torres and Keli Dodd

Did not want son Thomas to go

Worried about his health before hand
Going to be super protective of him for the rest of her life
She was visiting a cousin
She only knows of the event through news
Trusting of Baruch and reporters
Does not know that it is true information
Could be biased
Not at the scene of the crime
He was in a coma and could not hear during the explosion, he also had critical cuts
Thomas was an unarmed citizen attacked brutally
Came to israel after hearing of the bomb
Could have possible accurate information

Notes: Thomas Portrayed by Griffin White

Injured in the bombing

Woke up unable to hear, confused, injured, went into coma, and had many fractures
He met Vera beforehand.
He fell asleep and when he woke up he went to the diner
Afterward he got on the bus
They were all check, Except Sameh
Emotionally injured, living in constant fear
Impacted his life in a negative way.
Never actually saw what happened, going based off of information he has heard
Sameh was the last on the bus and not checked, he was mumbling to himself. He was scared. He dropped his bag, he was pushed
against the window by the soldier
He did not personally see Sameh detonate the bomb.
Believes that something could have happened when Sameh dropped the bomb
Defence believes that Thomas is biased
Had no proof of what was in the bag
Said the doctor told him he had no damage from coma but later said he couldnt think straight because of his coma and head
injury.

Notes: Dan: Portrayed by Eshan

Girlfriend was in the explosion

Depressed afterward
She had bandages on her left eye and few other injuries
Patrol officer
Sent to Samehs home to examine
Could not find Sameh
Samehs mother was distraught
Sameh lived in poor living conditions
Not at the bombing
He was heading home from patrol when he heard the news
[would do anything for his girlfriend
Possibly biased
Not able to provide accurate mental assessments on vera
He overheard vera moaning and crying
Sees people cross over illegally.

Notes: Lidia Adler #5: Portrayed by Cathy Grossnicklaus

Veras best friend for three years

They are vera close
Identified her based off of her nail polish
Many people she saw at the hospital were burned and missing body parts
Took pictures to reveal the truth of the explosion
Worst experience she has seen at a hospital
Trusts Vera with her life
Always believes Vera
Vera went to pick up thomas (not with them)
She was not at the scene and did not see what happened
All information based off of VEra
Biased
Did see aftermath but was not there to see Sameh commit any crimes.
Does not believe Vera would lie about the incident because Vera had never lied to her, therefore her evidence could
still be credible
The bus appears blown up from the inside

Notes: Vera #6: Portrayed by Faith Lawing and Olivia Ensalaco

Victim of terrorist attack (bus 9)

When she woke up she could see her bone, there was a bar across her, the was a mans shoe on her face
Bomb was close to her
She was injured by the explosion
On the bus because she went to pick up Thomas from the airport
She was toward the front of the bus
They check thomass bag
She does not remember much of what happened after, She believes she was screaming
She does not remember what happened after someone dropped the bag
She does not remember who or what set of the bus
She sat at the front of the bus because it was the safest place on the bus (she heard of that and has done it)
She says the door is at the front of the bust and it was easy to get off
Defense believes that the fuel tank at the back of the bus is where most severe injuries occurred
The bomb did not cause the explosion to be so big the gas tank did
Defense proved the bus was not blown up from the inside
Prosecution proved bomb WAS inside but was detonated from outside
The bomb was 16 kilograms which could easily fit in a book bag
She cannot prove where the bomb explosion came from

Notes: Character Dr. Stiti: Portrayed by Keller Mink and Ashton Zullo

Called into work for bus 9 explosion

There was a screw in the patient's head
All victims had many severe to normal injuries
Doctor states the bomb could have been in the bus
Says bomb was in the bus due to knowledge of the injuries
People close to the bomb would be close to death and most likely die
Sameh was in severe to critical conditions
Cannot prove where Sameh was on the bus
Based off evidence, she concludes he was near the middle or back of the bus
Not a passenger on the bus
Sameh is unstable and in very critical condition
Facts are on the medical chart

Notes: Character Clive: Portrayed by William Carrigan and Connor Mort

Went to bus graveyard

States bomb appeared to go off in the bus and there was damage on the left of the bus
Visited Samehs village
Found a video cassette proving Sameh wanted to be a suicide bomber and he said his last words
Family was proud and honored
Confirmed the images of the bus and cassette
Visited Sameh and Omars family
Omars father said he was upset over the death of his son and wished he would have taught his son better
Omar admitted he wanted to be a shaheed
Sameh pledged himself to terrorism
Could tell the bus blew up from the inside because he saw the bus
The bus was a twisted skeleton, the roof was mostly gone, its a miracle that anyone survived
Bus had more damage to the left side, omar was driving along side the left of the bus
Sameh was in the middle of the bus

Notes: Character Police officer: Portrayed by Gabriel Warner

Interrogated Omar previously to discuss the location of Sameh the first time
Integrated Omar twice
Said Omar is dangerous but still allowed him to do illegal business
Omar is surrounded by trouble and influenced by that
Omar was forgetful (possible lying about reasoning)
Omar was possibly searching for Sameh
Omar was suspicious
Officer does not believe Sameh detonated the bomb
Says Omer did because Sameh was pressed against the window of the bus
Says Omar and Sameh are friends and could have planned the bombing together
Defense supported the fact that preliminary investigation has shown that the bus was NOT blown up from the inside.

Notes: Character Bus Driver: Portrayed by Jackson Link and Laz Hayes

Sameh rushed onto the bus

Had soldier tackle him
Barely harmed
Does not know why sameh was whispering to himself when he got on the bus but it made him suspicious
Unharmed in the bombing
States people on the back of the bus were severely harmed
Said he tried to get into the middle lane but the van was blocking him
Said the van was IN FRONT of the bus but the back of the bus was most affected
He saw Sameh working at the diner in everyday life
Defence says the bus was moving around the van so there could have been a POSSIBILITY that the van could have
blown up the SIDE of the bus (injury was mainly at the BACK of the bus)
Identified Sameh as a suicide bomber but wanted to stay on track of schedule
He had no suspicion at the time that Sameh was a bomber
Once he began to suspect him he could not stop the bus or force him off
He had burns on his back which means the bus could NOT be inside of the bus because the blast came from behind
him.

Notes: Character The Boss: Portrayed by Blaze and Malik Peace

Sameh worked for him in his diner

Illegally employed him (felt pity for him)
Trusted Sameh
Supplied Sameh with clothing fro his son who was gone
Never suspected Sameh had a bomb
Only heard from the police and news
Cleaning the kitchen when the bomb happened.
Omar came by the diner in a van
He felt awful when he heard of the bombing
Said it wasnt like Sameh
Felt Sameh may have been the bomber but was in hope that it wasnt
Hid that fact the Sameh was an illegal worker
He is being charge for hiring and hiding an illegal worker
He was there after the bombing
He saw a soldier running around and lots of debris
His cook died in the bomb
He saw the yellow van at his diner and the scene of the crime
Cited the license number of the van
Saw Omar before (everyday life)
The driver of the van was removed in a body bag (if the bomb was inside he would have been blown apart with nothing left)
Wanted to protect Sameh
Did not see the bus get blown up
Concrete wall of his restaurant was destroyed

Notes: Character Amal: Portrayed by Emma Town and Elexa Phllips

Mother of Sameh
Sameh was their only source of income
Says Sameh was a good kid
Doesnt believe he did the bombing
Scared to say they were not proud because they felt the would be killed by the community
Was also proud because Sameh was open to going to extreme measures for his family
Knew she would get money from Shaheed fund but did not know he would be a suicide bomber
She thought maybe something had happened to sameh when he went missing
Sameh Stated in the journals that his siblings helped bring in income for the family
There was a chance he could have been on the bus and detonated the bomb.
Really upset over what happened with Sameh
He was helping to pay for his younger brother kidney problems
Siblings only brought in small amounts of money

Notes: Character Sameh: Portrayed by Tristan Borlace

Omar and The man convinced him to become a suicide bomber

Promised an easy way out
Omar found him at the mosque
When he got on the bus he rushed on and skipped the steps
Bus driver shouted something to him
He walked down the aisle and saw a woman and her children and then dropped his bag
Didnt want to hurt the woman and children, so he stopped and dropped his bag
He didnt want to follow through because it was wrong
He was hit in the head and pressed against the window
He saw a yellow van drive PAST (explosion was in the BACK of the bus)
He could not detonate the bomb because he was restrained against the window
dropping the bag would not detonate the bomb
Saw omar drive by in the van with something black in his hands
Had injuries
Confirmed he worked illegally in the diner because his family was poor
His mother was sick and his brother had kidney problems
Without him his family could not survive
Worked to support his family
Was going to bomb the bus but did not follow through
He was told he would go to paradise and his family would get lots of money

Notes: Character Sameh: Portrayed by Tristan Borlace

He was willing to do anything for his family

Carried bomb onto the bus
forced to kill for his family
He left a video so that his mother would know his motives and what he was going through
He wanted his family to be proud of him
He lived in a small village (poor village)
He was told medical bills would be paid for
Omar was his friend, he trusted him
He respected Omar

Notes: Character Omar: Portrayed by Blake Nelson and HAyden Mathis

Believes Sameh is weak

Said he would carry through if Sameh did not
Has strong beliefs
Introduced sameh
Stated he would steal a van
Omar died in the explosion

Part III: AFTER TRIAL

Verdict

Assignment Directions
Fill in the blanks for the following 2 templates to determine and state your verdict. You will also
include a suggested sentence for the accused based on your research. Make sure that you elect a Jury
Chairman who is willing to read your statement to the court. You will have a specific allotted amount of
time to determine the verdict, and when court is back in session, the Chairman of the Jury will read the
verdict aloud.
As you deliberate, please remember: You are to make an UNBIASED decision. After all witnesses have taken
the stand, you must ultimately ask yourselves the question: Which side argued it better? Which side
presented concrete evidence and told a more COMPLETE version of the truth. You cant base your verdict
off of your own opinions -- you must pretend that youve never read the book and determine a verdict
based on the PERFORMANCES you saw by everyone in the courtroom and the EVIDENCE that they provided
you.

Good Luck!
FYI: Some of your classmates very well might hate you after this. No worries.

Deliberation Worksheet
Count
1

Crime Charged
Murder in the 1st Degree

Not Guilty
O

Reasoning: They could not prove he detonate the bomb

intent to murder

Reasoning: Defendant admitted he intended to murder

Possession of a weapon

Reasoning: Defendant admitted to having a weapon

Association with a known terrorist group

Guilty

Reasoning: Prosecution and defense both proved Sameh worked with a terrorist
group
Working Illegally

Verdict
After careful examination of all evidence presented by both the Prosecution and Defense Teams..
For the crime of [intent to kill], we the jury find the defendant GUILTY.
For the crime of [Possession of a weapon], we the jury find the defendant GUILTY.
For the crime of [Working Illegally], we the jury find the defendant GUILTY.
For the crime of [Association with terrorists], we the jury find the defendant GUILTY.
For the crime of [Murder in the First degree], we the jury find the defendant NOT GUILTY.
For these reason while the prosecution proved there was intent to kill and premeditation they did not prove
without a doubt that he set off the bomb.
As an educated Jury, we have provided a recommended sentence for the defendant to Chief Judges Agar
and Bustle.. Based on the precedent set by previous similar cases, we, the jury recommend that the
defendant, Sameh Laham, serve a sentence of 50 years with parole in 25.